1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) vs 1.6 8V

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
1.6 8V BUY 80/100
+19 points over 1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS)
0 / 100
CAUTION 1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) Volkswagen
0 / 100
BUY 1.6 8V Volkswagen

Specifications

1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS)
1.6 8V
Brand
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict
CAUTION
BUY
Reliability
61
80
Years
2000--2010
1996--2003
Displacement
1896 cc
1595 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Na
Power
100--160 hp
100--102 hp
Known Issues
8
1
Total Risk Cost
€2,086--€7,650
€50--€150

Character

1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS)

"Pumpe-Duese successor to the VE. Strong and tunable, but the camshaft also drives the unit injectors and wears, and the 105 PS BXE/BLS (2006-2008) can put a con-rod through the block. Buy on history: oil spec 505.01, no long-life intervals, cold-start listen for top-end ticking or bottom-end knock."

1.6 8V

"Golf IV/Bora workhorse. Cast iron block. Simple 8-valve. Oil leaks at high mileage. Thermostat. One of VW's most reliable engines of the era."

Issues Comparison

1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) 8

◆ CRITICAL
Con-rod and main bearing failure - rod through the block (BXE/BLS 105 PS, 2006-2008) €465--€5,850 100,000 km--210,000 km
▲ HIGH
Timing belt - interference engine, 90,000-120,000 km interval by variant N/A--N/A 90,000 km--120,000 km
▲ HIGH
PD camshaft and lifter (roller rocker) wear €1,200--N/A N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
Dual-mass flywheel wear €235--€580 160,000 km--N/A
● MODERATE
Unit-injector (PD element) wear and quantity drift €70--€580 N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
VTG turbo vanes and actuator sticking €80--€520 N/A--N/A
○ MINOR
Tandem (fuel/vacuum) pump leak N/A--N/A 130,000 km--210,000 km
○ MINOR
EGR valve sooting and intake clogging €36--€120 130,000 km--160,000 km

1.6 8V 1

○ MINOR
Thermostat housing crack €50--€150 60,000 km--120,000 km

Models

1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) 41

A4 B5 1996--2001 A4 B5 1996--2001 Octavia 1U 1997--2004 Golf Mk4 (1J) 1998--2003 Leon Mk1 (1M) 1999--2006 Toledo Mk2 (1M) 1999--2004 A3 8L 1996--2003 Leon 1M 2000--2005 Fabia 6Y 2000--2007 Octavia 1U 2000--2004 Leon Mk1 (1M) 2000--2006 A3 8L 2000--2003 Fabia 6Y 2003--2007 Golf Mk4 (1J) 2000--2003 Leon 1M 2000--2005 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2002--2008 Polo 9N 2001--2009 Octavia 1U 2000--2004 Golf Mk4 (1J) 2000--2003 Cordoba 6K/6L 1999--2009 Alhambra 7M 1996--2010 Passat B5 (3B) 1996--2005 A4 B6/B7 2001--2006 Superb 3U 2002--2008 Superb 3U 2002--2008 A6 C5 1997--2004 Transporter T5 2003--2009 Passat B6 (3C) 2005--2008 Toledo Mk3 (5P) 2005--2009 A3 8P 2003--2010 Golf Mk5 (1K) 2003--2008 Octavia 1Z 2004--2010 Altea 5P 2004--2010 Leon Mk2 (1P) 2005--2010 Superb 3T 2008--2010 Touran 1T 2003--2010 Leon 1P 2005--2010 Ibiza 6L 2002--2008 Fabia 5J 2007--2010 Roomster 5J 2006--2010 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2004--2008

1.6 8V 0

No models listed.

Full 1.9 TDI PD (AJM/ATD/AXR/ASZ/ARL/BKC/BXE/BLS) Report Full 1.6 8V Report